Help For The Helpers

VICTORIA – The Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act passed unanimously in the legislature, and is now law. The Act allows individuals to apply for a testing order if they suspect they have been exposed to communicable disease in the course of providing emergency services or as a victim of crime.

The Act was passed under the Ministry of Labour, Citizen’s Services and Open Government, but started as a Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick on May 30, 2011. Minister Margaret MacDiarmid introduced the Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act as a government bill on April 30, 2012.

Quotes:

“I want to thank the firefighters at Local 953 for asking me to serve them in this regard as they and other emergency personal from around the province so humbly serve all of us. It took us three years but we got the job done – thanks to their support and that of our premier.”

“The Kelowna Professional Firefighters commend the passage of the Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act. We are very proud of MLA Norm Letnick leading this charge for firefighters, police officers and paramedics in this province. On behalf of all emergency workers and victims of crime, we thank MLA Letnick, Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid, and Premier Christy Clark.”

“This new legislation happened because of Norm Letnick’s hard work and advocacy – and one of the rare times a Private Member’s Bill becomes law. I know first responders are grateful for his efforts, and so am I.”

– Minister of Labour, Citizen’s Services and Open Government Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid